Village of Orland Park Restricts Outdoor Water Usage

The Village of Orland Park has restricted outdoor water use because of the recent hot, dry weather and limited predictions for rain.

"The extreme weather conditions, with minimal rain in the forecast, have everyone's attention," said Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin. "We're asking for residents' help with water usage and that they check on elderly and disabled friends and neighbors to make sure they're okay," the mayor said.

Orland Park's Water Conservation Program, in effect annually from May 15 to September 15, permits outdoor water use from seven to eleven, both morning and night according to the Odd/Even Address System.

Homes with addresses ending with even numbers may sprinkle from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. on even numbered days only. Those ending in odd numbers may sprinkle on odd numbered days, also from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. only.

"While our new reservoir has put us in a much better position than we would have been only a few years ago, we still need to take precautions in these conditions," McLaughlin said.

To balance the village's water supply system during these extreme weather conditions, as of July 19, the village is restricting outdoor water use to evening hours only, still according to the Odd/Even Address System.

"The hot, dry weather and lack of rain has made a lot of people water their lawns," said Orland Park Director of Public Works Ed Wilmes. "This has caused a higher than normal use of water over the last several days. By reducing outdoor water use, water reserves can be replenished reducing pressure on the water system," he explained.

According to the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Services, lawns are equipped for hot, dry conditions. Instead of wilting and dying like many plants, they simply go dormant if they've been established for a year.

"Lawns need at least one third of an inch of water every three weeks for the crown and roots to remain active," Wilmes said. "This is why we're asking everyone to curtail their daily sprinkling routines and wait a few days between using their outdoor sprinklers," he said, adding, "Even small reductions means we may not have to advance to mandatory outdoor watering bans to preserve the water supply during this time of extreme conditions."

The Orland Park Police Facility, at 15100 South Ravinia Avenue, is the village's designated cooling center.

"Those who need a cooling center should come to the Police Station and, if necessary, we can open other village buildings for those who need it," said Police Chief Tim McCarthy.

The village is notifying residents of the restricted outdoor water use and availability of cooling centers through the local media, its website, cable television and the village's Code Red Telephone Alert System, reaching subscribers by phone. Free subscription to the system is available on the village's website at www.orland-park.il.us.

"We're asking everyone to cooperate with the temporary restrictions and to let their friends and neighbors know how important these efforts are to the water system reserves in our community," Wilmes said.

Residents are reminded to check on elderly and disabled neighbors, contacting the village's Office of Special Services at 403-6150 with concerns. After business hours, residents can call the Police Department's non-emergency number, 349-4111. If it is an emergency, residents should dial 9-1-1.

"We ask that everyone take a minute to check on those nearby who are elderly or disabled to make sure they're okay," McCarthy said. "If someone needs help, they can call the village's Office of Special Services to let them know," he added.

Updates during the current heat wave will appear on the village's website at www.orland-park.il.us and on the government access channels, Comcast Channel 4 and A T & T Channel 99.

Further information about sprinkling restrictions in Orland Park is available by calling the Public Works Department at 708/403-6350.